04.03.2012 [Christian Science Monitor] - Russia's presidential elections are expected to return Vladimir Putin to the presidency, but reports of election violations and frustration with 'managed democracy' will be challenges for him ahead. By Fred Weir, …spondent / March 4, 2012 Russian

05.03.2012 [Moneycontrol.com] - MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's presidential election was clearly skewed in favour of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, international vote monitors said in a report on Monday. "There was no real competition and abuse of government resources ensured that the

09.02.2012 [BusinessWeek] - But his days are numbered By Jeffrey Tayler The Russians who braved subzero temperatures to demonstrate against Vladimir Putin on Feb. 4 were not as liberal as the West would hope. They differed from the participants in last December's rallies

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician who has been the President of Russia since 7 May 2012. Putin previously served as President from 2000 to 2008, and as Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. Putin was also previously the Chairman of United Russia.

05.03.2012 [The Local.de] - Germany wants to work with incoming Russian President Vladimir Putin constructively and to extend a strategic partnership, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Monday. Westerwelle announced that Germany would like to cooperate with Putin

05.03.2012 [Novinite.com] - Russian PM Vladimir Putin while being presented with a puppy by Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov back in November 2010. Photo by BGNES Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has sent a congratulatory telegram to Russian President-elect Vladimir

05.03.2012 [Interfax-Religion] - Moscow, March 5, Interfax - The Moscow Patriarchate supports the choice the majority of Russians made in favor of Vladimir Putin in the March 4 election. "The choice of the majority of people is obvious; this is a display of wisdom, seriousness and

04.03.2012 [Wall Street Journal (blog)] - Mr. Khordorkovsky, is living in exile in the US but is a leading activist against Vladimir Putin. Outside the consulate Sunday, he said Mr. Putin's expected victory will only galvanize a growing opposition movement. “People are discontent with the

05.03.2012 [Panorama.am] - President of Ar…a Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory letter to Vladimir Putin on his victory in Russian presidential elections, President's press office reported. On behalf of people of Ar…a and myself, I offer my sincere congratulations to You

01.03.2012 [Korea Times] - By Mikhail Kasyanov MOSCOW ― Few people, least of all Vladimir Putin, who plans to return to Russia's presidency on March 4, could have imagined last December that Russians would, for the first time in 20 years, wake up and rally in their tens of

05.03.2012 [The Daily Star] - BEIJING: China's President Hu Jintao on Monday congratulated Vladimir Putin on his victory in the Russian presidential elections, the foreign ministry said. Putin won back the Russian presidency, which he held from 2000-2008 before his four-year stint

04.03.2012 [Malaysia Star] - VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (Reuters) - Vladimir Putin is almost certain to win a third presidential term in an election that began on Sunday in Russia's far east, though opponents have challenged the legitimacy of a vote they say is skewed in his favor.

05.03.2012 [Panorama.am] - “The Sambo Federation of Ar…a congratulates Vladimir Putin on his convincing victory in the Russian presidential election and expresses confidence that he will keep his promise to fulfill the wish of the sambists of the world,” according to a

05.03.2012 [SGGP] - Russia's March 4 presidential election , which was won by Vladimir Putin, was transparent and conducted fully in accordance with Russian law according to an observer mission from the CIS states. An interim statement from the mission was given at a